Book 5

Brave New Third World

by Walden Bello

Published 30 August 1990
Part of the same series as "Taking Population Seriously", this book provides a guide to the greatest problem of equity facing humanity today. The 1980s have been marked by a sharp increase in poverty and inequality throughout the third world. Accompanying this free-fall in living standards has been the erosion of economic sovreignity In this book the author explains the reasons for the debt crisis, depressed commodity prices and aggressive protectionist policies by rich nations, as well as transnational corporations and northern manufacturing practices. Some poor countries have tried to break out of the vicious cycle of poverty, with modest success. Most are made more dependent and marginalized. This description of the problem ends with a sketch of "the key elements of a strategy that might enable third world countries not only to ensure their survival as economic entities but also to embark on sustained development". The book provides a guide to the greatest challenge to justice facing the world.